Studies to Determine the Presence of Artificially Induced Arsenic Levels in Three Freshwater Streams and Its Effect on Fish Species Diversity.
Abstract
A spray equipment testing grid received repetitive applications of operational quantities of the military defoliant Blue (an arsenical containing herbicide). Because of the low cation exchange capacity of the soil and the severe elevation gradient which existed between the test area and surrounding drainage system, concern was voiced as to the possibility of arsenic residues entering the freshwater communities. Six sampling stations were established on three freshwater streams that drain the test area. Periodic checks were conducted on the fish species diversity and on arsenic content of the water and silt. Analytical data from analysis of the water and silt indicated no significant increase in arsenic residues from background levels. Furthermore, these levels were found to be lower than background levels in other aquatic systems. The fish diversity studies showed a decrease in the composition of only one species of fish (Notropis hypselopterus Gunther). Due to the low arsenic levels, this change was probably due to one or more extraneous variables, such as slight variation in sampling technique. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0880166
Entities
People
- Alvin L. Young
- Billy C. Wolverton
- Nevin A. Hamme
- P. Jeffery Lehn